I Want To...

More State Features

USDA to Measure Planted Crop Acreage

Columbia, MO - How many acres of Missouri's major crops did farmers
plant this growing season? What percentage of those acres were planted
to biotech varieties? Will actual planted acreage be above or below farmers'
reported planting intentions? How has the extreme weather conditions affected
the acreage makeup? These are just a few of the critical questions the
Missouri Field Office of the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics
Service (NASS) will be asking more than 2,700 producers statewide as part
of the June Agricultural Survey.

"This survey is one of the most important surveys conducted each
year by NASS," explained Gene Danekas, director of the NASS Missouri
Field Office. "It will provide the first clear indication of the
actual planted acreages and potential production levels in the United
States for the 2007 crop year.

"Data from the June Agricultural Survey benefit farmers by providing
timely and accurate information to help them make critical business decisions.
When evaluating selling and storage options, this survey will be an important
source of information for producers," added Danekas.

Beginning the end of May, NASS will contact selected Missouri producers
by mail or telephone and ask them to provide information on the total
number of acres planted and acres planted to specific commodities, including
corn, soybeans, sorghum, rice, and cotton. NASS will also collect data
on quantities of grains and oilseeds stored on-farm. The information will
be compiled and analyzed and then published in a series of USDA reports,
including the annual Acreage report and quarterly Grain Stocks report,
both to be released on June 29.

As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential
by law. "NASS safeguards the confidentiality of all responses and
publishes only state- and national-level data, ensuring that no individual
operation or producer can be identified," stated Danekas. All reports
are available in the Press Releases section. For
more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Missouri Field
Office at (800) 551-1014.